When it comes to our cars, we all tend to know exactly what we want.

But, with the influx of new cars being imported into Nigeria, are you completely satisfied, that your dream car that's been advertised as a 2008 model is really an '08 registered car?

Let's look at the facts - it's not uncommon to find cars advertised, for example, "Toyota Camry 2004 / 2005@. Now, a car can't be manufactured over 2 years. Well, it can, but the completion year will be just one calendar year, not **/**.

This thread is to help both buyer, and seller correctly identify the year of manufacture of a car. The 10th digit of the VIN is the year of manufacture. Note, not year of registration.

B - 1981
C - 1982
D - 1983
E - 1984
F - 1985
G - 1986
H - 1987
J - 1988
K - 1980
L - 1990
M - 1991
N - 1992
P - 1993
R - 1994
S - 1995
T - 1996
V - 1997
W - 1998
X - 1999
Y - 2000

From the year 2000 onwards, the system switched over to numeric:

1 - 2001
2 - 2002
3 - 2003
4 - 2004
5 - 2005
6 - 2006
7 - 2007
8 - 2008
9 - 2009

Besides the VIN, the glass of cars manufactured after 1991 showed the approximate year the car was built. I say approximate, as the glass could have been picked from the parts bin from a year before the car was built. However, the glass will not show the year as being newer than the car they were fitted to.

It's also not an ideal way to check the year, as the glass could have been broken, and been replaced.

The glass identification is included in the printed manufacturer's details, and will be a number, followed  by some dots.

Examples:

1995 - glass will be marked 4,  or 5,
1996 - glass will be marked 5,  or 6,
1997 - glass will be marked 6,  or 7,
1998 - glass will be marked 7,  or 8,
1999 - glass will be marked 8,  or 9,

By the 10 year difference, i.e 1995 - 2005, the same markings will be used, but the shape of the car will usually be different, so can't be confused.

Hello Siena,

I have been reading most of your post, replies and thread. You are very educative.
This is another very interesting standards to know both for sellers and buyers.

Keep up the good work!

@ Sienna,
You r great. I have been having problem identifying cars below 99 at times, but with this i am good to go.
Thanks
Keep it up

Thanks man, you are the man!

correct me if am wrong but i thought the car seat belt was the best way to check the year of the vehicle.

RICHIE BOI:

correct me if am wrong but i thought the car seat belt was the best way to check the year of the vehicle.

Siena's information is accurate. The year of manufacture is what is written on the seat belt, thus 2009 is the year you'd find on the seat belt of a newly redesigned 2010 model car which was manufactured in say, November 2009.

Cheers,
J

dis is nice

RICHIE BOI:

correct me if am wrong but i thought the car seat belt was the best way to check the year of the vehicle.

Seat belts Could have been Replaced or the info Label tampered With.

The Most accurate way to know the Year of Manufacture is Using the 10th Digit on the VIN / Chasis number. 

@sienna, tanx alot, this infor. came at the right time, as am about to pick another car, with this standard, seat belt is sure, not the best way to identify the year of car manufacture, as it could have been tampered with.
cheers every one!!

Siena:

The 10th digit of the VIN is the year of manufacture. Note, not year of registration.

As simple as ABC,this is usually the MOST RELIABLE way for me

Siena:

Let's look at the facts - it's not uncommon to find cars advertised, for example, "Toyota Camry 2004 / 2005@. Now, a car can't be manufactured over 2 years. Well, it can, but the completion year will be just one calendar year, not **/**.

I think it's only in Naija I've heard people describe the year of manufacture that way.If I've heard it outside Naija,then I heard it from a Naija guy  

inspired_m:


Seat belts Could have been Replaced or the info Label tampered With.

The Most accurate way to know the Year of Manufacture is Using the 10th Digit on the VIN / Chasis number.  

Exactly

Siena,
I love your post keep the good work atleast i have knowledge of my car vin and others that i will intend to buy.
Goodluck throughout xmas and new year.oneluv broda

Thanks, Switchmax, have a wonderful Christmas too, and good luck with your car purchase.

@ Siena,  10x. But I'm wondering how would the year of manufacture be identified after 2010 

But, forgive me 4 asking,

How do I get the VIN of my 2002 Honda Accord.

No need to claim, I have been hearing about VIN but I dont know where it is.

^^^ VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is also called Chassis Number

It contains 17 Digits of which the letters O, I and Q and are excluded (to avoid confusion with the numbers 0,1 and 9 respectively)

Every car has its unique VIN just like every computer device has a unique Mac Address 

Oh! Chasis Number?

Who doesnt know that one.

@Poster

That was a nice one there, kudo

thanks for ur advice,am abt to get a car n av ben afraid of all the issues u highlighted,one cant trust dis car dealears,once again thanks a bunch

How come there is no year assigned to the letter 'U'. Incidentally I have a car with the 10th digit as 'U'

Thank you Siena for this terrific contribution to the House that Seun built-even though he keeps trying relentlessly to tear it asunder.

12840:

How come there is no year assigned to the letter 'U'. Incidentally I have a car with the 10th digit as 'U'

U will be year 'uncertain'-I think

Here's an addition to the original list posted by Siena:

From the year 2010 onwards, the system switches back to alphabetic:

A - 2010
B - 2011
C - 2012
D - 2013
E - 2014
F - 2015
G - 2016
H - 2017
J - 2018
K - 2019

Once again sienna, you've done a wonderful job.

A close pal just got conned. He purchased a supposed 2003 pathfinder (as he told me) but when i checked the VIN, it was boldly written 2000.
Now i can't tell him cos he's paid and all. But i must confess the vehicle is not bad at all.

Very good source of information,God bless you Sienna

What was this thread about again?

Mine is 2009.

Cool.

mama-gee:

Mine is 2009.

Which part, the tires?

Great thread Sienna, thanks for this wonderful eye-opener!

You just removed some wool off the eyes of some of us

The 10th digit of my VIN is 0, followed by F. Its a BMW 320i, 1993 model, but nothing seems to gel with this new formula. Help, brothers help.